Jim Miller: Summertime heat poses special risks to seniors

Can you write a column alerting seniors to the dangers of summertime heat? I manage a number of urgent care clinics, and last summer we had more than 200 cases of heat-related illnesses, most of who were seniors. I would like to reduce that this year.

Concerned Citizen

Dear Concerned:

I certainly can. Most people don't realize that extreme summer heat causes thousands of heat-related illnesses in the U.S. each year, and kills more people than hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes combined, and seniors are among the most vulnerable.

The reasons behind this are because of the body's ability to regulate temperature through blood circulation and sweat glands tends to decline with age. Bodies of older adults also contain far less water than a younger person, and older brains don't recognize thirst as easily, making them more likely to get dehydrated.

In addition, many seniors have certain health problems that can increase their risk of hyperthermia (when the body overheats). These include:

Medications that some seniors take, like diuretics and other high blood pressure drugs, can also cause dehydration or affect the ability of their heart, blood vessels or sweat glands to respond to the heat.

Signs of Danger

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. The signs to watch for include a body temperature above 103 degrees Fahrenheit, a rapid pulse rate, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and hot, dry skin with the absence of sweating. If you, or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, call 911 immediately because heat stroke is a medical emergency.

Heat exhaustion is milder and can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures. The warning signs are heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, fainting, dizziness, headache, and nausea or vomiting.

What to Do

If you think you may be suffering from a heat-related condition, cool yourself down by going indoors into air conditioning, remove or loosen any tight-fitting or heavy clothing, drink plenty of water (but avoid alcohol and caffeine), take a cool bath or shower, or apply cold water, ice packs or cold compresses to your skin.

And when you do go out in the heat, be sure to dress in lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, avoid extended periods of sun exposure and drink plenty of water even if you don't feel thirsty.

Seniors who live without air conditioning should go to public places that have it like shopping malls, senior centers or public libraries. Your local health department can also refer you to an air-conditioned shelter in your area.

For those who can't afford to run their air conditioning at home, there's the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), along with many utility companies and charitable organizations that may be able to help you with your utility costs. To find out about the programs available to you, along with their eligibility requirements and how to apply, call the National Energy Assistance Referral project at (866) 674-6327 or visit energynear.org.

For more extreme heat-related safety tips, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov/extremeheat.